---

ABOUT SOLEXX GREENHOUSES

Solexx greenhouse covering surpasses other covering choices in insulation, light quality and longevity. Save money year after year with healthier plants, lower energy bills and a greenhouse that lasts and lasts.

Superior Light Diffusion

Solexx is White For A Reason — it produces an even diffuse light proven to accelerate plant growth by 30%. The light glows evenly reaching into every corner of the greenhouse. More light for photosynthesis means more robust growth.

Undeniable Durability

Solexx offers a 10 year warranty with an even longer life expectancy. It withstands snow, wind, and hail and won’t fade or yellow over time. Best of all it requires very little maintenance. Should you need to replace the Solexx paneling at some time, the panels are readily available and easy to replace.

Most Economical to Heat

Solexx provides superior insulation to hold in the warmth and keep your heating costs low. Plants thrive while customers save on energy costs. The chart below outlines the heating costs using different types of greenhouse coverings. Solexx has one of the highest R factors of 2.1R on the market, so it holds in the heat better than the competition saving you hundreds or thousands of dollars over other greenhouse coverings.

Comparison of annual heating costs with various Greenhouse Coverings using Denver, Colorado as the greenhouse location. The 8' x 12' greenhouse is kept at a minimum temperature of 45 degrees all year using natural gas at $2 per therm as the heat source. Data was compiled from the USDA Virtual Grower software.

As you can see from the chart, Solexx pays for itself in a few short years over the other greenhouse coverings. Keep in mind that these heating costs are for year round heating. A majority of the heating costs occur during December and January (the coldest months). So, to save money, you can start seeds indoors to delay heating the greenhouse during the coldest month.

SOLEXX FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What makes Solexx Greenhouses different than others?

Our specially formulated Solexx greenhouse panels are a polyethylene blend and not polycarbonate. We manufacture the material with a special UV formulation for longevity. The covering is insulated to cut down heating and cooling costs, but most importantly, the transluscent quality of the plastic provides outstanding light diffusion in the greenhouse. University tests have shown that plants growth is accelerated by 30% under diffused light. Solexx also is one of the highest insulated greenhouse materials available, saving you money in heating costs. Another feature that makes Solexx different is the built-in bench frames that double or triple the available growing space. With almost all other greenhouse kits, benches are a large additional expense. Full-length hanging rods are also included to overwinter hanging baskets.

Where are Solexx Greenhouses made?

Solexx Greenhouses and Greenhouse Covering have been manufactured in the USA for over 25 years. We are proud to offer American made products at our headquarters in Salem, OR! What difference does this make to the customer? Our product instructions are written in English with detailed explanations. If you call us with questions, we are easily accessible and happy to help. Should you need a replacement part, we can easily and quickly get you what you need.

Are Solexx greenhouses able to withstand high winds?

Solexx greenhouses perform excellent in wind. Our composite frame (the same material used to make bridges) is extremely strong and durable. As long as the greenhouse is firmly anchored (which we can help you with), you should not have problems. The combination of a strong frame and flexible paneling works very well in adverse conditions. Many of our customers live on the coast and frequently experience winds of 70 mph. One customer in New Jersey has a greenhouse that survived Hurricane "Bob" with no damage from the impacting tree branches.

Are the greenhouses easy to heat?

Solexx greenhouses are easy to heat. The 3.5mm and 5mm twin-walled glazing material provides more insulation than most other hobby greenhouse materials. The cost of heating your greenhouse will depend on the temperatures in your area and the type of plants you plan to grow. Many plants require only a 45-degree nighttime temperature. Heating costs can be reduced by using buckets or plastic jugs of water or by lining the greenhouse with a layer of Visquine or bubble wrap in the cold months. In mild conditions, 5 gallon covered black buckets filled with water will trap the solar energy during the day and release heat for most of the night. Another option is adding rabbits to your greenhouse. Rabbits put out 8 BTU’s per hour, which amounts to roughly 2.5 gal of fuel in 6 months. Rabbit manure also adds heat and makes a great non-burning fertilizer. If you would like to compare the insulation of different greenhouse materials, you can go to the USDA website and download the virtual grower software to compare energy savings along with other useful growing information, http://www.ars.usda.gov/services/software/download.htm?softwareid=309

How do I prepare the site for my greenhouse?

Very little site preparation is required for your Solexx Greenhouse. You can place your greenhouse on any leveled area such as your lawn, over bare ground, on a gravel base, over a wood deck, on a concrete slab, or a brick patio. We recommend a gravel base for the best drainage. A south facing area is best to get the maximum sun exposure.

What tools will I need to assemble the greenhouse?

Assembling a Solexx Greenhouse is takes just a few readily available tools. You will need a screwdriver, variable speed drill, sharp knife or utility knife, tape measure, step ladder, GE Clear Silicone-2 caulk, caulking gun, clear PVC glue and a level.

I am interested in your Solexx covering. How do you install it?

They are much more flexible than twin-wall polycarbonate greenhouses panels and can easily be screwed onto an existing greenhouse frame. This covering is available in 4’ x 8’ or 4’ x 12’ sheets in 3.5 or 5mm thicknesses. Solexx greenhouse covering can also be ordered in continuous rolls up to 900 feet so you can conveniently cover just about any structure. For more information about installing Solexx, click here.

When designing a greenhouse frame, how much spacing should I leave between supports for the panels? How many screws should I use?

For maximum strength, we recommend that the framing (trusses) that will support your Solexx be placed 16" - 24" on center. If applying to a greenhouse frame with 4' or 6' centers, cross bracing is recommended to prevent
sagging between the bows. Ask us about cabling over the bows to prevent expansion sagging. On the perimeter of your structure, we recommend attaching screws every six inches. For your supports, you only need to attach screws about eighteen inches apart. As a general rule, figure that you will need one screw per square foot of paneling. In extremely windy areas, you may want to increase the number of screws you use.

Isn’t the paneling too dark to transmit light?

The unique Solexx greenhouse covering transmits 70-75 percent of the available light. Most plants only need 40 percent light to grow, but 70-80 percent available light is the optimal growing range. Even on cloudy days, your greenhouse has a pleasant, soft glow inside. The panels diffuse the light evenly throughout the greenhouse eliminating "hot spots" and shadows. Also, a bit less light transmission will help to keep your greenhouse from getting too hot during warm weather and keep your plants from burning.

Does the covering break down in the sun?

Solexx panels are treated with a double UV inhibitor during the extrusion process. The covering has an 10 year limited warranty against ultraviolet breakdown and is tested and certified by an independent lab. Solexx greenhouses have been in the field for well over 25 years and there has been minimal UV degradation. All plastics do eventually break down when exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time; however, these panels are easy and inexpensive to replace.

How do you clean the paneling?

Solexx paneling can be rinsed or wiped clean without worry of scratching. The panels are impervious to chemicals so you can wash them with a mild soap or a bleach solution. It’s a good idea to do this a couple times a year to keep your greenhouse clean and to maximize light transmission.

How does the paneling hold up in cold or snowy weather?

Solexx panels are very durable. Solexx greenhouses have been undamaged after being covered in several feet of snow and exposed to subzero temperatures for most of the winter. Snow tends to slide right off of the slick paneling material. Unlike many greenhouse materials, our panels will not yellow from the sun or cold.

What is H-Channel and U-Trim used for?

H-Channel is used to join the panels together on the long side (another option is to overlap the panels). We recommend caulking the open flutes of the panels with Clear Silicone Caulking to keep bugs and moisture out and maximize the insulation. U-Trim gives the 4’ ends of the panels a nice finished look.

What are the differences between polycarbonate and Solexx panels?

Solexx greenhouses are made with polyethylene. Polyethylene is much more flexible and is easy to cut to any size. Polycarbonate panels tend to be thicker, but have a lower insulation factor than polyethylene. Both materials diffuse light, but polycarbonate diffuses less (because it is more transparent), making the greenhouses much hotter in the summer. Polyethylene is very easy to clean and will not scratch like polycarbonate. Polyethylene does not contain BPA's (which are reported to leak toxins) that are found in polycarbonate materials.

How do you cut the panels? Is it easy to do?

Solexx panels can be cut with a simple utility knife. Because the material is so flexible, it’s also possible to bend it around the curves and corners on a structure.

Should I use 3.5 or 5mm paneling?

Solexx panels are available in 3.5mm or 5mm thickness. The 3.5mm panels are recommended in most areas because they provide more light transmission. The 5mm panels are used in very cold climates (for added insulation) and for high altitude areas. It is also recommended on many custom structures for added support. Both varieties are available in 4'1" x 8'1" sheets and 4'1" x 12'1" sheets or continuous rolls.

Is Solexx Recyclable?

Solexx panels are high density polyethylene and have the same recycle number as plastic milk jugs.

What can you do to automate the greenhouses?

Solexx offers many greenhouse accessories and supplies to help make your gardening experience easier. A solar vent opener is available and can be set to automatically help regulate the temperature. The heaters that we offer can be thermostatically controlled to help you heat only when it’s necessary, keeping your costs low. Also, our exhaust fans all come with thermostat controls. This will help push out stale air as your greenhouse begins to get hot.

Which basic accessories will get me growing?

Gardening with a Solexx Greenhouse is easy. Although we offer a full line of greenhouse equipment, we do have a few recommendations that will ensure success. First of all, you want to make sure that your greenhouse is properly anchored. We offer a Deluxe Tie-Down Kit, which includes four anchors—one for each corner of the greenhouse. On longer units, or in areas that have exceptionally high winds, you may want to purchase additional anchors (which are available individually.) Also, ventilation is a key factor. Two base vents (or more on longer units) placed on each side of the door will ensure good cross-ventilation. Greenhouse flooring is also a good investment. It will help keep your maintenance down by blocking out weed growth through your greenhouse floor.

Where should the heater be placed in the greenhouse?

We recommend placing the heater in the back of the greenhouse, either at the end of the walkway or under the bench frames. It's best to leave some space around the heater so that the heat can fully circulate and so that none of your plants get too warm. Having a small circulation fan is a good way to ensure even heating in your greenhouse.

How should I place the vents in my greenhouse?

Typically, we recommend that you place a large louvered vent opposite the door, towards the top of the greenhouse. If you then place two or more base vents low to the ground (on either side of the door, for example), you get a natural ground- up ventilation. A solar opener can be attached to the louvered vent, in order to better regulate the temperature. We recommend that you close the base vents during cold weather.